neighbour asking me to get my trees lopped

[ladylush]

AIBU in being irked that a neighbour who lives diagonally behind us knocked on my door the other day and asked if we could cut our tree? It is a Sycamore (actually there are two side by side) and it is established. It was here before we bought the house and was pruned back hard (18 months ago). The neighbour complained that she had no sunlight in her garden last summer because of the tree. It is not wide but it is tall (no leaves at the moment so only an issue in summer) - about 18ft. I told her that whilst it may be a nuisance for her, it is a benefit to us because it provides screening (which is great when we want to use our garden). In the winter she can see straight into our house from her bedroom window. I also told her that we would not be paying a tree surgeon to cut it every year. She then offered her to send round her son's friend (a tree surgeon) next week (who would do it as a favour for them) and that we would only have to contribute towards the cost of removing the branches. However, we discussed it and decided that we would prefer to employ a tree surgeon of our own at a time that suits us and that when we do get it cut back, we will not take as much off as she would want. I think if a sunny garden was that important to her she should have bought a house with a large garden with a southerly aspect instead of a west facing 35ft garden.

"It wasn't generous really"
Yes, it was
It was a nice thing to offer

Prism - if the shoe was on the other foot I wouldn't ask - as I said before. Their garden is small and west facing so their aspect is not ideal for sun worshippers. However, as I said before we will go there in the summer and assess how much of a problem it causes.

I think you're being unreasonable - sycamores are just tree-sized weeds. Get rid of both of them and plant some proper trees that you know won't grow to more than 8 to 10 feet tall. Problem solved, everyone happy, win-win.

I may seem calm but oh boy, have I been ready to swing for him once or twice. Like the time I knocked on their door when 5 mths pg with dd at 11.30pm at night in the christmas holidays to say "stop the farking banging you are taking the piss".

DH has mused 'doing things' to their fuck off huge boundary trees (on our side planted so close to a lovely shrub that it will eventually kill it), and also to their extension which invades our property.

I'm through gritted teeth........as you can see

Prism - it would only be generous if she offered it on our terms. It's a loaded offer.

She doesn't have to be a sun-worshipper to value the light.
If you are a gardener, it makes all the difference.
I completely agree with bluestocking.
Another solution would be for you to go round to her, see if you can negotiate getting the two sycamores removed, then plant something lovely and split the cost.

ooh yes - replace the trees with an apple tree and a victoria plum tree on pixie root stock - much nicer AND you will get lovely blossom in spring, and gorgeous fruit late summer.

DP has just lopped our enormous poplar type tree. Now is a good time; it grows back vigorously in Spring anyway.
Neighbours never complain; in fact we asked them what they thought and they said they liked it but big trees need lopping before they get too big.

MRSGOG HAve you had the tree assessed? Our tree had a preervation order on it and we knew it wasn't well. A tree surgeon happened to be working across the way and he looked at the tree and confirmed it was diseased. The council sent someone round and they agreed it could come down as it was dying and dangerous. It cost £436.

It doesn't have to be on your terms to be generous. I really don;'t think it's a loaded offer at all; this is just compromising, surely.

The red variety (which is the one I think she has the issue with)is actually a nice tree. It has a lovely leaf. Obviously, that is a matter of opinion If we planted a new smaller tree as you suggest, it would take years to get to a decent height. I suspect with our trees gone, she would find issue with the HUGE Walnut on the garden next door to us on the right.

preservation

Oh our new neighbours on the other side just cut down a HUGE old magnolia in their front garden! I was GUTTED. It was beautiful. It must have been about 50+ years old. It had been lopped back a couple of years ago to the 'knubs' and had come back really vigourously and the blossom in spring! Oh, magic.

They've cut it down without knowing what it is I think. I say that, disappointed, despite it blocking some of the morning sunshine to our property.

NAB - it doesn't have a preservation order, but the houses further up the road do.

I adore Magnolia. We were bought one last year but it is still potted whilst we give careful thought as to where it will go. Don't want to cause further conflict

you seem to want this all your own way when there are two sets of people involved

PLUS you called pointy a bitch

therfore, YABU

F&Z - I expected opposing opinions but her tone was way off imo. I agree that there are two points of view. I also agree that we should strive for a compromise.

DH has said that as has been pointed out, if no part of the trees overhang her property then she has no right to expect you to do anything.
WRT subsidence, DH says pruning won't really affect what may or may not happen - subsidence is mostly to do with the type of soil the tree is growing in. (Willows are no better or worse than any other tree by the way - again its all to do with soil type & how near or far away the tree is from any building)

does that help at all?

Thank you Whizz . Very helpful. I knew that she had no legal right. That doesn't mean that I have no intention of doing anything about it. It just means that I will not be getting it cut back every year as she would wish. I think two years is reasonable.

What would you consider a satisfactory compromise? Have you put this to your neighbour?

I dont think pointy's tone was way off, as it happens - but - i really can do without getting embroiled.....

I think, ladylush, she has already thought things through and come to you with a good compromise - instead of just coming to you and asking you to cut your tree. Which is why most folk think you should go along with it. She's tried to find compromise before coming to you. Rather than simply throwing the ball in your court and expecting you to deal with it.

I'm not sure if there is one. I told her that we were planning to get it done this year funds permitting (the trees were cut back hard when we moved in 18 months ago), but that is probably not satisfactory to her as she said her garden had no sunlight last year. If we have a look at her garden in the summer and see that our tree does indeed prevent sunlight, then maybe she would accept us lopping it a bit the year we are not getting it cut by a tree surgeon.

VVV - I don't think most people disagreed actually. It's probably 50/50 though I'm not going to trawl through the thread counting Re. the other issue, these things are always open to interpretation I feel.

Be careful she doesn't take it into her head to lop it a bit from her side, which is perfectly legal.
My neighbours absolutely ruined my lovely cherry blossom tree while I was away on holiday by lopping all the branches which overhang their side. It's now such an odd looking shape that once it's blossomed I will have to get it cut right back.
Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to cut trees right back, especially if you live in an urban area as I do. The three trees at the bottom of my garden were fab - bird havens, screening from nosy neighbours, shade for toddlers on hot days, and so lovely to look at.

You asked if you were being unreasonable.

Yes, you are!

Amongst others, I have suggested alternatives to your trees. You haven't even bothered to entertain the idea.